Bearded: A Very Hairy Children's Book by Jeremy Billups

Bearded: A Very Hairy Children's Book by Jeremy Billups
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A cute story of a young girl narrating about her friend that is a bearded bear. This children story book teaches that there's nothing wrong with being unique, and that everyone should treat them with respect and kindness. The power of imagination was also addressed in this short and adorable book that young readers will also loved.

Bright Star, Night Star: An Astronomy Story by Karl Beckstrand

Bright Star, Night Star: An Astronomy Story by Karl Beckstrand
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I like the idea that this picture book for kids wants to teach them about astronomy, but it only contains words and doesn't explain what those are. The rhyming of words and the illustrations are both okay, but there's no concrete story or further explanation on the content of this book. Therefore, instead that will serve as to enlighten or teach, it will only confuse young readers on what they will read here.

Shelter by Céline Claire

Shelter by Céline Claire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The lovely story of Shelter was written by Céline Claire and the adorable illustrations were done by Qin Leng. Being compassionate is one of the major lessons that kids will learn from the story.

Aside from that, the value of friendship is more important than material and impermanent things were also addressed in the story. This is a recommended read for kids 7 and below, but adult readers, such as parents, will also appreciate this charming book.

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was on my TBR for a long time and I was always finding a way to squeeze it to my list of the books I'm currently reading. Recently, I found enough time to read this novel and it didn't disappoint me. It exceeds my expectation because the character and story build up was to look forward to.

What I like about this novel is that it makes us believe that destiny could bring two individuals together because of an unlikely circumstance or in their case, a greedy human. Their dilemma made them choose the best desirable option though it would make them separate from each other. Yet still there is indeed a happy ending after all because of what happened to them in the end.

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

The Arrival by Shaun Tan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Indisputably, The Arrival is a stunning wordless graphic novel that will attract readers because of how brilliantly it narrated a story through illustrations. It vividly describes the tale of an immigrant starting in a foreign land: how he struggled with communicating, adjusting to the new culture, the problem on seeking employment, and missing his family.

This fiction depicts the true story of some foreigners who chose to leave their love ones, and trying their luck abroad in order to provide a comfortable life for those they left behind. There are other stories of other characters in this graphic novel that is heart-rending, e.g. the old man who was a war veteran; he lost his other leg and when he return home, he saw that his hometown was destroyed and that there was no survivors. Another tragic story was about the mother who loss her daughter and even though it is not apparent, her daughter might have died because of child labor.

The Arrival is a worthy piece of graphic novel to check out because of its compelling story and captivating drawings. One way or another, we are familiar with one or two of the stories in this picture book; possibly that we knew someone with a similar story, or maybe our ancestors used to be immigrants also back then.

Dancing on a Powder Keg: The Intimate Voice of a Young Mother and Author, Her Letters Composed in the Lengthening Shadow of the Third Reich; Her Poems from the Theresienstadt Ghetto by Ilse Weber

Dancing on a Powder Keg: The Intimate Voice of a Young Mother and Author, Her Letters Composed in the Lengthening Shadow of the Third Reich; Her Poems from the Theresienstadt Ghetto. by Ilse Weber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is not the first time that I've read a book that is about the Holocaust; some of them were memoirs of the survivors and those victims who died in that unfortunate and horrifying event. The most notable Holocaust victim is Anne Frank, and I can't help compare what happened to her to to Ilse Weber. This book contains the correspondence of Ilse to her friend, Lilian; reading these letters will drawn readers to what she and her family experienced before and during the Holocaust era.

Moreover, there are poems/ode of Ilse that were both beautifully written and heart-rending. Ilse wrote these poems as a secret way to inform Lilian on what's really happening to her and her family in the ghetto. Through her words, I was able to imagine how hard it was to endure the suffering inflicted on them. This book provides another glimpse to that dark period of the world history — reading this reminds us not only to remember the victims and what happened to them, but also to prompt readers that we should try to prevent it from happening again.

Hope for the Flowers by Trina Paulus

Hope for the Flowers by Trina Paulus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was really curious about this children's book because I've read several good reviews before about this. I was able to purchase a copy of this from our local bookstore online and I read it right away. It's a short story so I was able to read it within 10 minutes or less.


The story reminds me of Aesop's fables I've read when I was still young. It could be children's book but the lessons are more like a reminder for adults. I highly recommend this to everyone especially to those who are young professionals or who are already in the workforce. This will help them remember what's really important in life.

Killer Fashion: Poisonous Petticoats, Strangulating Scarves, and Other Deadly Garments Throughout History by Jennifer Wright

Killer Fashion: Poisonous Petticoats, Strangulating Scarves, and Other Deadly Garments Throughout History by Jennifer Wright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Killer Fashion is a very informative and quite an entertaining book to read. This 48-page book tackles some of the fashion mishaps in the history that will leave you shock in the end. I just found a certain illustration in this picture book to be not as exactly the trivia it wants to portray; the artwork for the Lotus Feet looks like more Japanese instead of Chinese women.


In spite of this minor inaccuracy, the facts about the invention and the terrible accidents caused by these peculiar fashion trends provides interesting information. Indeed, fashion kills unintentionally. Some will follow the fad even though they might not aware that their lives are at stake — because of fame and for aesthetic purposes, they will sacrifice anything just to appear glamorous.

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Big Little Lies is astoundingly a marvelous novel that everyone, in particular women, should read because of how excellently it was written by Lianne Moriarty. I’ve read a lot of good review about this book, thus I immediately add it in my to-be-read list on 2015. However, I wasn’t able to read it right away; I’m also planning on watching the TV series adaptation of this novel after I’m done, hence I took the opportunity to read it recently because I have more spare time.

The setting in Australia, the characters, and the storyline were all carefully contemplated and nicely narrated. The story will make us compare our lives and ponder about others’ true lives in our surrounding to the characters in this book. We usually want to show only the good or the better façade; that we are contented and have a wonderful family. However, there’s a saying that, “Nothing’s perfect.”

No matter how good one can hide his or her problems; people will never believe that you are living in an ideal life that everyone dreams of. Celeste’s family is what the other mothers in the Pirriwee Public School consider as the epitome of the perfect life, which isn’t exactly what it appears to be. On the other hand, Jane’s is the exact opposite because people thought that her son, Ziggy, is a bully or a problem-child. Jane also suffers from eating disorder because she has a severe distress about her body weight, thus it is unmistakable that her severe thinness is apparent.

As for Madeline, her life story represents mothers’ dilemma with their growing child and on how they try all their best to keep up with their lives. Celeste’s tale of abusive husband is another wake up call to every woman that it’s not right that any men would just lay their hand on us, especially physical abuse, just because we did something that did not pleased them.

This book reminds me of an incident I witnessed when I was still in college. While I was walking on my way to school, I saw a couple of college student who were talking in the sidewalk. The guy was obviously angry and shouting while the girl was trying to explained to him. What shocked me was when I saw that he slapped this girl; it happened on a busy street and I’m not sure if aside from me, if there was anybody noticed that incident. I was stunned on what I’ve seen, but I just continued my walk to school. I didn’t bother to stop and meddle. Perhaps I was afraid that I might get hurt in the situation if I interfered, or maybe I just simply don’t want to be nosy on other people’s lives.

How I and the other people reacted that time just shows that there are still a lot of people that turn blind and deaf on cases of abuse. But as I got older, wiser and braver, I could say that if that I could come across the same unpleasant incident, I will be confident to speak up and stop that guy right away.

Sometimes, we should be more fearless in our actions and beliefs because it will be for the betterment, if not of our own life, of the lives of others. Just like what happened to the characters of Madeline, Celeste, Jane, as well as Bonnie and Renata, being brave and acting for what we think is right leads to the freedom of the two of them from the abuse. I don’t support what Bonnie did, but I condemn Perry and all the things he has done. In my opinion, Bonnie’s reaction was her only way to save Celeste that time, and what happened to Perry his unintentional.

May this book serve as a reminder that we, women, deserve a happy life; may it not be perfect, but it is much better than living in a make-believe.

Body Music by Julie Maroh

Corps sonores by Julie Maroh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Body Music contains 21 beautiful short stories about love, lust and relationships. There are several stories that I did like particularly the The Ghost of Illness, On The Importance of Laughter, and The Aftermath. I was able to read this spectacular graphic novel by Julie Maroh on one seating and it made me sad, teary-eyed, and happy while reading the stories.

Thanks to Arsenal Pulp Press for the ARC of this book.

How to Be Perfectly Unhappy by Matthew Inman

How to Be Perfectly Unhappy by Matthew Inman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How to Be Perfectly Unhappy is the second graphic novel of The Oatmeal, or Matthew Inman in real life, that I was able to received a review copy from the publisher. A lot of readers will undoubtedly can relate to the compelling words that this 48-page book contains — especially those who think they might not be happy, currently at lost with what they really want, or those who are questioning their life's purpose.


The author is famous for his other published books that are quite funnier in theme. On the other hand, this particular book of The Oatmeal is more profound and noteworthy, because of how it discussed on what it really means to be happy or unhappy.

Dept. H, Volume One: Pressure by Matt Kindt

Dept. H, Volume One: Pressure by Matt Kindt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reading this graphic novel reminds me of Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea because of the setting of the story. Some readers who were able to read this may not have like this, but for me, I really enjoyed reading this sci-fi/mystery novel because of the storyline.

However, the illustrations may not be that spectacular, but as for those who are art enthusiasts just like me, I really appreciate it. While reading, I also checked out the drawings and what techniques were use by the artists.

If you have read Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues, I'm quite certain that you will also like this graphic novel by Matt and Sharlene Kindt.

Phoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magic Storm by Dana Simpson

MY RATING: 5 of 5 stars

It's my first time to read an issue from this comic series of Phoebe and Her Unicorn. Marigold the Unicorn is really awesome because she possessed amazing powers, e.g., the magical GPS and magical text message. There are several funny parts in this volume, particularly how Phoebe and Marigold wore a disguise because Marigold's magic wasn't working. Dakota's remarks and that one word "Blart" of the goblins are also quite hilarious.

Aside from the unicorn's magic, the magic power of Dakota's goblins was also not working; the internet and the electricity were also out. According to the goblin's story, the reason for their problem was the dragon named Voltina. Because of this, Marigold, Phoebe, Dakota, Max, and the goblins joined forces so they can finally found a solution to their and to the town's dilemma.

I'm happy with the ending because not only that Phoebe and her friends had finally solved the mystery, but Voltina had finally found friends. I might check out the previously published issues of this series; I bet that I will also enjoy reading them just like I did in this latest book.

Space Battle Lunchtime Volume 2: A Recipe for Disaster by Natalie Riess

Space Battle Lunchtime Volume 2: A Recipe for Disaster by Natalie Riess
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This final volume compiles issues five to eight, and continues the story when Peony went missing in the 4th issue of this comic series. I like the ending to this fun and peculiar experience of Peony as contestant in a very prestigious competition in the universe. It is a light-read and the colorful artworks are very eye-catching, so just like me, I reckon everyone will be delighted when they read this one.

Vertigo: Of Love & Letting Go by Analog De Leon

Vertigo: Of Love & Letting Go by Analog De Leon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There are poetry books, such as this, that will make readers really contemplate the meaning behind the words. Those who will read the enthralling collection of poems in this book could be able to understand the love lost, the process to self-healing, and loving oneself.

The illustrations are absolutely captivating and dramatic representations to some of the poems that wants to impart. This is just one of those books that you want to read again after some time, because you want to devour again those lovely verses.